Foldable music stand



, g- 1944- M. RAPFOGEL 2,356,532

FOLDABLE MUSIC STAND Filed July 23, 1943 2 sheets sheet 1 INVENTOR. MaRTm/swmzz Aug. 22, 1944. M. RAPFOGEL FOLDABLE MUSIC S TAND Filed Jul 23, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 22, 1944 UNITED. STATES TENT OFFICE This invention relates .to a foldable stand for sheet music, books and the like which may be supported on a base such as a table or the like.

Among the objects of the invention is to provide a stand which can be folded or collapsed in a single operation to a relatively small size and which again can be extended simply by unfolding one of the several component parts.

Another object is to provide a stand of the character indicated in which the several parts will fold substantially fiat against the frame when the stand is collapsed and which automatically becomes unfolded as the frame is extended.

Other objects and advantages inherent in the invention will become apparent as the specification proceeds and when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which show by way of example a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view of the stand according to the invention showing it in extended position and supported on a base.

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the stand shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary section of the upper central portion of the stand drawn to an enlarged scale.

Figure 4 is a front view of the stand in partly folded condition.

Figure 5 is a view showing the stand in completely folded condition.

Figure 6 is a side viewo'f the stand in folded condition, and

Figure '7 is a fragmentary sectional view of the lower central portion of the stand drawn to an enlarged scale.

Throughout the drawings the same reference characters refer to same or analogous parts.

Referring in greater detail to the drawings, the stand comprises an extensible and contractible frame preferably composed of two sets of bars [0 and I! which are pivotally interconnected in lazy-tong fashion by means of conventional pivot studs I2. It will of course be understood that the series or sets of bars may be varied according to the size or strength of the frame which is desired.

The frame just described serves as a back rest for the sheet music and the like and for supporting the bottom edge thereof I provide a foot support extending along the base of the frame and comprising a pair of sections 53 having their outer ends pivotally connected to the free ends of the bars Ii) by means of pivot studs Hi. The interior ends of the sections [3 are interconnected by means of the hinge I5, which permits the sections to be folded upwardly against the frame.

It will thus be noted that the frame or bars l0 and I! may be folded together to assume the position shown in Figure 5 simply by folding the sections 13. Similarly, the frame may be extended simply by straightening or unfolding the sections [3.

If desired a set of extension bars it may be pivoted to the upper free ends of the bars H.

A member ill for supporting the frame on the base It; is pivoted thereto by means of the hinge i9 and which in turn is carried by the pivot stud E2 which interconnects the bars I I. In this manner there will be no lateral displacement of the supporting member I? when the frame is folded together. The length of the member I1 is of course selected according to the inclination desired and the distance of the hinge i9 above the base I8. However, the length should not exceed the height of the frame when completely folded so that it will not project thereabove.

For supporting the upper portion of the frame I provide a leg member 29 which at one end is pivoted to the back of the frame by means of the hinge 2! and which in turn is carried by the pivot stud i2 interconnecting the bars l8. Theother end of the leg is connected to the supporting member 5'! between the ends thereof by means of the hinge 22.

It will be noted that the member I! and the leg 20 are so proportioned and arranged with respect to the frame that the same will support the stand in an upright inclined position when the stand is extended and will lie substantially flat against the back of the frame when the frame is folded together.

It will also be noted that the extension and contraction of the frame will automatically cause the leg 20 and supporting member I! to be folded and unfolded to and from their respective positions.

When it is desired to unfold or extend the frame from the folded position shown in Figure 5 to the position shown in Figure 1, the stand simply is grasped by the sections l3 which then are straightend by pushing them downwards as shown in Figure 4. This operation will result in the lazy-tong being spread apart and which spreading action will cause the leg 20 to push out the member I! and fold it downward.

Similarly, when it is desired to fold the stand,

the sections I3 are bent upwards which causes the lazy-tong to contract and which contraction will in turn cause the leg 26 to pull the member I1 against the back of the frame.

It will of course be understood that this description is given by way of example and not by way of limitation. On the other hand, the invention may lend itself to avariety of expressions within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A foldable stand for sheet music and the like comprising vertically extending frame means that will expand vertically as it is contracted longitudinally, a foot support for the music and the like at the front of said frame comprising a pair of hingedly interconnected sections having their outer ends pivotally connected to said frame so that the folding of said sections will contract said frame, a supporting member pivotally connected to the back of said frame at the lower portion thereof for engaging a base and a leg having one end pivotally connected to the upper portion of the back of said frame and the other end pivotally connected to said supporting member so that the contraction of said frame will cause said supporting member and said leg to be folded substantially flat against the back of said frame.

2. A foldable stand for sheet music and the like comprising vertically extending frame means that will expand vertically as it is contracted longitudinally, a foot support for the music and the like at the front of said frame comprising a pair of hingedly interconnected sections having their outer ends pivotally connected to said frame so that the folding of said sections will contract said frame, a supporting member pivotally connected to the back of said frame at the lower portion thereof for engaging a base and a leg having one end pivotally connected to the upper portion of the back of said frame and the other end pivotally connected to said supporting member, said supporting member and said leg being so proportioned and arranged that said frame will be supported on a base in an upright inclined position when the frame is extended and g will be folded substantially fiat against said frame when the latter is contracted.

3. A foldable stand for sheet music and the like having a frame comprising a plurality of sets of bars pivotally interconnected in lazy-tons fashion, a foot support for the sheet music and the like at the front of said frame comprising a pair of hingedly interconnected sections adapted for folding upwards along said frame and having their outer ends pivotally connected to the lower free ends of one set of said bars, a supporting member pivotally connected to the back of said frame adjacent the lower central juncture between another set of said bars for engaging a base and adopted for folding upward against the back of said frame, and a leg having one end pivotally connected to the back of said frame adjacent the upper central juncture between the first mentioned set of said bars and having its other end pivotally connected to said supporting member.

4. A foldable stand for sheet music and the like comprising vertically extending frame means that will expand vertically as it is contracted longitudinally, a foot support for the music and the like at the front of said frame comprising a pair of hingedly interconnected sections and having their outer ends pivotally connected to said frame, a supporting member for engaging a base pivotall connected to the lower portion of the back of said frame, and a leg having one end pivotally connected to the upper portion of said frame and the other end to said supporting member, said foot support and said supporting member and said leg being so proportioned and arranged with respect to said frame that the folding of said foot support will contract said frame and cause said supporting member and said leg to fold substantially fiat against said frame.

5. A foldable stand for sheet music and the like having a frame comprising'a plurality of sets of bars pivotally interconnected in lazy-tong fashion, a leg pivotally connected to said frame adjacent the upper central puncture between one set of said bars and adapted to be folded downwardly against said frame, a foot support for the sheet music and the like comprising a pair of hingedly interconnected sections, having the outter ends pivotally connected to the lower free ends of the last mentioned set of bars, and adapted to fold upwards against said frame, a supporting member pivotally connected to said frame adjacent the lower central juncture between another other set of said bars for engaging a base, said supporting member also being pivotally connected to said leg and adapted for folding upwards against said frame, said leg and said suppporting member being so proportioned and arranged that said stand when unfolded will be supported on the base in an inclined upright position and when the stand is folded said leg and said supporting member will lie substantially fiat against said frame.

MORTIMER RAPFOGEL. 

